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A new poll commissioned recently by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) in June revealed that a hypothetical rematch between 2004 Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and Democrat Governor Christine Gregoire results in a statistical dead heat.
The poll, conducted by Dresner, Wickers & Associates, surveyed 500 registered voters in Washington State. The result showed Gregoire below the critical 50 percent mark for an incumbent.
In a general match-up for governor, Rossi trailed Gregoire by just five points statewide — 44 percent to Gregoire’s 49 percent. The results are similar to a recent survey conducted in early July by Moore Information of Portland, Ore. The Moore poll also showed a race between Gregoire and Rossi to be a statistical dead heat, with Gregoire at 47 percent and Rossi at 43 percent.
According to BIAW’s poll, Washington voters do not see things getting better in our state — nearly half of all respondents believe state government is on the wrong track and getting worse. And despite much ballyhooed efforts to “soften” her appearance and public image, such as refereeing to herself at Chris instead of Christine, Gregoire cannot seem to move her “favorable” rating above 50 percent.
The poll revealed many of Gregoire’s actions as governor have hurt her chances of reelection. After voters were told about Gregoire’s record on government spending, crime, education and transportation, she loses in a head-to-head matchup against Rossi by 48 percent to 44 percent.
- 52 percent if respondents were less likely or much less likely to vote for Gregoire when they learned she increased sales, gas and alcohol taxes;
- 54 percent of respondents were less likely or much less likely to vote for Gregoire when they learned she approved massive expansion of Indian casinos during the same period that Indian Tribes contributed nearly a million dollars to Democratic campaign committees;
- 49 percent of all respondents were less likely or much less likely to vote for Gregoire when they learned she reinstated the death tax in Washington on estates valued at more than two million dollars;
- 62 percent of respondents were less likely or much less likely to vote for Gregoire when they learned she granted the early release of 3,000 felons per year, some convicted of violent crimes; and
- Nearly two thirds of respondents are less likely or much less likely to vote for Gregoire when they learned she increased spending by 33 percent and put the state in the position of facing a $1.2 billion deficit.
“The poll results show Gregoire’s pandering to the special interest groups that paid big bucks to help elect her may come back to bite her,” said BIAW Political Affairs Director Elliot Swaney. “What Indian tribes, labor unions and trial lawyers see as their rightful paybacks have become serious liabilities for Gregoire, leaving her very vulnerable on several fronts,” said Swaney. “Should Rossi decide to run for governor again, Gregoire will have a tough time justifying her actions to unhappy voters.”
So what do the voters think about Gregoire’s job as Governor?
- Only 38 percent of respondents believe Gregoire has done an above average job as Governor
- Only 43 percent of respondents feel Gregoire’s leadership has earned her another four years in office.
- Well over half of the respondents feel it is time for the fresh ideas of Dino Rossi.
- An overwhelming 60 percent of respondents believe Gregoire would choose the interests of the government over the interests of their families.
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